The 90-point pre-purchase inspection checklist explained
The full breakdown of a 90-point pre-purchase inspection — what each check actually looks at, what it can detect, and why it matters when you're buying.
- Reviewed by
- NSW Pink Slip Review Panel
- Published
- 25 February 2026
- Read time
- 3 min
Not every inspection is created equal. Some 'inspections' are a walk-around with a torch. Ours is 90 documented items across five domains. Here's what each one covers.
Exterior and paint (25 items)
Panel-by-panel paint depth reading with a coating thickness gauge — this is how we detect accident repair, filler, and re-sprays. We check panel gaps, door alignment, glass fitment, and any evidence of poor-quality repair work. Bumpers, mirrors, and trim get individual assessment.
Structural (15 items)
Under the boot mat, under the rear seat, up on ramps — we look for pulled or replaced spot welds, uneven underbody sealant, sectioned chassis rails, and any evidence of a major impact repair that could hide from a paint check.
Mechanical (25 items)
Engine cold-start, warm-idle, response under load. Transmission shift quality, clutch feel on manuals. Cooling system pressure and coolant condition. Exhaust for smoke, leaks, and DPF status on diesels. Belts, hoses, and fluid levels.
Electronic scan (10 items)
Full OBD-II scan across every module — not just check-engine. Stored codes matter as much as active ones because they tell a service history story. Airbag module, ABS module, transmission control, body control, immobiliser — all checked.
Interior (15 items)
Every seatbelt tested for retract and buckle. Every window and lock cycled. Steering wheel controls, dash gauges, wipers, washers, HVAC on all speeds, cigarette lighter/12V outlet, USB, infotainment functionality, sunroof if fitted.
Frequently asked.
- Is 90 points always the exact number?
- It's the standard passenger car scope. EVs add battery health checks and drop combustion-specific items — same depth, different specifics.
- Do you road-test?
- Yes where safe and permitted — around the block minimum, longer if the vehicle location allows it.
About the author
NSW Pink Slip — Lead Inspection Team
Lead AIS-Authorised eSafety Inspector · 18+ years
Our lead inspection team is Transport for NSW-authorised under the Authorised Inspection Scheme (AIS) to issue eSafety Checks (pink slips) for light vehicles up to 4.5t. Combined 18+ years of hands-on Sydney workshop experience — starting in general repair, moving through diagnostic specialisation on European and Japanese platforms, and settling into full-time mobile inspection since 2019. Every article on this site is authored or reviewed by a currently-authorised AIS examiner. If we can't verify a claim against a Transport for NSW or Service NSW source, it doesn't ship.
- ✓Transport for NSW authorised AIS examiner
- ✓Cert IV in Automotive Mechanical Diagnosis
- ✓Cert III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology
- ✓Cert III in Automotive Electrical Technology
- ✓Working with Children Check (WWC) verified
Reviewed by NSW Pink Slip Review Panel — Reviews every technical article for accuracy against current Transport for NSW rules, AIS inspector guidelines and manufacturer service data.
Meet the full inspection team →Related from the workshop.
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